Zabriskie claims fourth straight professional time trial title
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Print Greenville, S.C. (August 29, 2009)--David Zabriskie (Salt Lake City, Utah/Garmin-Slipstream) remains the only athlete to win a USA Cycling professional time trial championship after successfully defending his national title on Saturday – his fourth straight since the event’s inception in 2006.
Zabriskie edged runner-up Tom Zirbel (Boulder, Colo./Bissell)* by just 44 seconds to maintain his monopoly on the Stars-and-Stripes jersey, completing the 20.7-mile course in 39 minutes, 37.14 seconds. Kelly Benefit Strategies' Scott Zwizanski (Mill Valley, Calif.) took home the bronze medal, finishing just under two minutes off the pace.After finishing fifth to Zirbel in the individual time trial stage of the Tour of Utah last week, Zabriskie once again affirmed his reputation as the fastest American in the individual race against the clock today in Greenville. The reigning national champion not only posted a nearly one minute time gap over his closest competitor, but, on the exact same course as 2008, he also improved his time by one minute and five seconds.
“Last year, I was [like] what kind of course is this? But this year it was more comfortable, and I like the course,”
Zabriskie said. “I really enjoy wearing this jersey over in Europe. It’s something I take a lot of pride in. It never gets old.”
For Zabriskie, Saturday’s victory marks his fifth career national time trial title as a professional. He also won in 2004 when both pros and amateurs competed together in the elite national championships.
Kelly Benefit Strategies put two riders in the top five with Jonathan Mumford (Sandy, Utah) coming in fifth in a near deadlock with fourth-place finisher Bernard Vanulden (San Francisco, Calif.) of Jelly Belly. Both riders finished within a second of each other at 0:42:29.
In addition to reaffirming Zabriskie’s dominance, Saturday’s race also confirmed Zirbel’s progress as a consistent contender in major time trials. At 30 years-old, Zirbel continues to show his strength. Three years ago, he finished 1:29 behind Zabriskie to place seventh. In 2007, he was 15 seconds back to finish just off the podium in fourth and in 2008, his five-second deficit and silver medal suggested that 2009 may be his year to unseat Zabriskie. The upset was not meant to be, however with another one-two finish, the stage is set for another show-down in 2010.
Despite the somewhat technical, rolling circuit course, the USA Cycling National Racing Calendar leader and time-trial specialist, Zirbel, did not expect a nearly one-minute deficit.
“I didn’t expect to lose by 45 seconds, wow, that’s an incredible ride by Dave,” explained Zirbel. “I didn’t have time splits while I was riding. I just figured it would be close… that it would come down to 2 or 3 seconds like it did last year. Wow, to see those time gaps, I should’ve sat up. I had a whole minute to spare.”
Zabriskie and Zirbel did not disappoint in what was expected to be a show down of the two powerhouse time trialers. Racing three laps of a technical, 11.1-kilometer rolling circuit, Zabriskie left the start gate last as the top-seeded rider with Zirbel just before. The pair recorded the fastest marks at both intermediate time checks, however Zabriskie passed through the first lap with a 29-second advantage on Zirbel. Zabriskie opened up his advantage to 37 seconds after the second lap and turned it on in the final lap, never looking to be in danger of losing his lead.
* Editor's note: In April 2010, the United States Anti-doping Agency (USADA) announced that Tom Zirbel tested positive for a prohibited substance and was suspended for a doping offense. Zirbel accepted a two-year period of ineligibility which began on November 17, 2009, the day he accepted a provisional suspension. As a result of the doping violation, Zirbel was disqualified from all competitive results achieved at and subsequent to the 2009 USA Cycling Professional Road and Time Trial National Championships. Results from the 2009 Pro Road & Time Trial National Championships have been revised for the elite men's time trial and medals have been awarded accordingly.
* Editor's note: In April 2010, the United States Anti-doping Agency (USADA) announced that Tom Zirbel tested positive for a prohibited substance and was suspended for a doping offense. Zirbel accepted a two-year period of ineligibility which began on November 17, 2009, the day he accepted a provisional suspension. As a result of the doping violation, Zirbel was disqualified from all competitive results achieved at and subsequent to the 2009 USA Cycling Professional Road and Time Trial National Championships. Results from the 2009 Pro Road & Time Trial National Championships have been revised for the elite men's time trial and medals have been awarded accordingly.
USA Cycling Professional Time Trial National Championships
Aug. 29. 2009
Greenville, S.C.
PHOTOS | FULL RESULTS
PHOTOS | FULL RESULTS
|
|
Name
|
Team
|
Finish
|
|
1
|
ZABRISKIE David
|
Garmin-Slipstream
|
39.37
|
|
2
|
ZWIZANSKI
|
Kelly Benefit Strategies
|
41.18
|
|
3
|
VANULDEN
|
Jelly Belly Cycling Team
|
42.29
|
|
4
|
MUMFORD
|
Kelly Benefit Strategies
|
42.29
|
|
5
|
FRIEDMAN
|
Garmin-Slipstream
|
42.37
|
|
6
|
ZAJICEK
|
Fly V Australia
|
42.38
|
|
7
|
CHODROFF
|
OUCH Presented By Maxxis
|
42.44
|
|
8
|
JACQUES-MAYNES
|
Bissell Pro Cycling
|
43.07
|
|
9
|
CREED
|
Team Type 1
|
43.11
|
|
10
|
WINSTEAD
|
Kenda Pro Cycling Presented By Spinergy
|
43.41
|
|
11
|
MACH
|
Bissell Pro Cycling
|
43.43
|
|
12
|
KILUN
|
OUCH Presented By Maxxis
|
43.44
|
|
13
|
BALDWIN
|
OUCH Presented By Maxxis
|
43.56
|
|
14
|
SWEETING
|
Land Rover-ORBEA
|
44.00
|
|
15
|
KEM
|
Bissell Pro Cycling
|
44.24
|
|
16
|
CRANE
|
Jelly Belly Cycling Team
|
44.50
|
|
17
|
GAIMON
|
Jelly Belly Cycling Team
|
44.52
|
|
18
|
REIJNEN
|
Jelly Belly Cycling Team
|
45.40
|
|
19
|
MONTELEONE
|
USA Development Team
|
46.01
|
|
20
|
LANDIS
|
OUCH Presented By Maxxis
|
46.30
|
|
21
|
HAMBLEN
|
DLP Racing
|
46.57
|
|
22
|
WOLFENBARGER
|
Cinelli-Down Under
|
49.03
|
* Revised following Zirbel doping sanction.
The same course at Clemson University - International Center for Automotive Research (CU-ICAR) also hosted a morning time trial for the U.S. Handcycling Series, presented by Paralyzed Veterans of America. Thirty-six competitors rode two laps for the final time trial of the series this year. Florida’s Chris Peterson had the best overall time of 37:19, also winning the men’s kneeling category. The men’s handcycling “C” category was won by Krige Schabort; men’s “B” category was won by Matt Updike; men’s “A” cateory was won by James Watson; the women’s “C” category was won by Carly Waugh.
The “Three Z’s”, Zabriskie, Zirbel and Zwizanski, will be face off against over 85 other professionals in tomorrow’s USA Cycling Professional Road Race Championship. They will be joined by top riders such as two-time national road champion George Hincapie (Team Columbia-HTC) and three-time national road champion Fred Rodriguez (Rock Racing). The 110-mile course will include three short downtown circuits, four long laps over Paris Mountain, and then three finishing downtown circuits. The race begins at 1:00 p.m. in downtown Greenville and is expected to finish close to 5:00 p.m. Once the pro cyclists depart downtown on the first large lap, a 30-minute criterium will commence for U.S. Handcycling athletes, also with start/finish at S. Main and Camperdown streets.
From 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. spectators can enjoy a free Health & Wellness Expo, located along South Main Street. Greenville Hospital System, the title sponsor for the championships, will provide a hand cycling demonstration and activities with Safe Kids. Other event sponsors in the expo include Hincapie Sportswear (merchandise trailor), AVF Creations (photo booth), Soby’s (special Sunday Block Party), Café-ine (coffee drinks for purchase) and Novartis (complimentary blood pressure readings and fire truck display). The Duke Energy Kid’s Races will be held close to 2:30 p.m. (registration ends at 1:00 p.m. in the Expo).
About USA Cycling
Recognized by the United States Olympic Committee and the Union Cycliste Internationale, USA Cycling is the official governing body for all disciplines of competitive cycling in the United States, including road, track, mountain bike, BMX, and cyclo-cross. As a membership-based organization, USA Cycling consists of 64,000+ licensees including 1,500 coaches, 4,000 student-athletes, 2,200 officials, 1,800 clubs and teams, 350 professional cyclists, 200 certified mechanics, and 34 local associations. The national governing body sanctions 2,500 competitive and non-competitive events throughout the U.S. each year and is responsible for the identification, development, and support of American cyclists through various initiatives and programs. Additionally, USA Cycling conducts national championship events for all categories of amateur and professional cycling. To learn more about USA Cycling, visit www.usacycling.org.
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